Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<I'm just wondering how do the really good CM's get recognized for their efforts?>> Spirit awards (pins) are nominated and awarded to top CMs. These are the top honors a CM can receive. From guests however, it's hit and miss. Depends on the guests knowledge of the comp cards and their expectations. I know many great CMs who have a few comps and some mediocre CMs with a lot of comps. It just depends.
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 It really depends on the Lead. Some are great and recognize when you are doing a good job. While others just kinda do their job requirements and that is that. Kinda like guests...it can be hit and miss. I know I went above and beyond because I wanted too...it didn't matter if my good behavior was reported. It was nice, however, when it was noticed. You get this pretty little cards thanking you from Disneyland's President (Mine are all from Cynthia Harris). As a Castmember, if a guest came up to me and told me how "cool" such and such was I would always incourage them to go to City Hall. If the CM was in my department then I would tell my Lead. The Cast Members from all departments that go above and beyond are all very well recognized and appreciated.
Originally Posted By RidgebackLuver Is Disney kidding? Those pay scales are atrocious! (sp?) The charachters are, I would say, a good 25% of most people's park experience!!! I mean, they are absolute professionals who should be so highly regarded by Disney, that they earn, I would say, at least $20 per hour. They have to go through the audition, be in the heat, be abused by children (and adults sometimes!), and they aren't even out that long, so do they earn only enough for two hours? That's not even liveable wages. They should at least have a base day pay rate of a minimum of $100. The girls who play the princesses are perfect. Gorgeous or cute depending on the charachter, and 99% of them that I've seen play the part so well, it's hard to imagine that they're real people with other lives!!! They definately deserve the highest pay and respect possible!
Originally Posted By SBprincess59 I agree with your post RidgebackLuver, especially since I would love to play Aurora. I would actually do it for free, but I guess I need a place to live and food to eat. I have played Smokey Bear for at least 5 years and love it. In fact I still do play the bear during forest, fire, and community events. Not only do you make everyone's day, but your self-esteem shoots throught the roof! The best part is, not only do children love you, but adults are crazy about Smokey. I think playing a beloved childhood character would be the best. Many adults will not go crazy for some recent characters, but Mickey, Alice, Pinnochio, etc. probably get a lot of adult hugs too. I would hope that my extensive Smokey Bear experience might help me abit if I ever get the nerve to try out for a face character.
Originally Posted By DreamFairy <<You don't have to be a Princess or a Fuzzy to make a difference on someones vacation.>> That is so true! Over in DCA there was one particular CM I "think" his name was Mark, but I'd have to look to be sure.. He was just the BEST CM ever! He took the time for my kids and talked to them outside the Playhouse Disney and when they walked by later on he yelled hello to each of them by name! we were so impressed. They each got his autograph as well as a group picture with him that is hanging on our wall. I filled out a card for him and left it at the DCA office place.. To this day my 3 kids still talk about him..
Originally Posted By RidgebackLuver SBPrincess59, We're you smoky bear at Knott's? We got our picture with him/her last year and he was cool.
Originally Posted By SBprincess59 No, I'm Smokey Bear along the central coast mainly. I didn't know Smokey went to Knott's!!
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<How do CM Leads acknowledge superior performance?>> Leads play an important role when it come to choosing trainers and other leads.
Originally Posted By HRM Some places of employment require employees to get a physical check-up, paid by the employer of course. I was wondering if this is true for Disney regarding CM's who don the Character Costumes - especially the "fuzzies" - due to the physical requirements of the job? Or even, is their an age range due to the physical requirements?
Originally Posted By robinhood You must be at least 18 or 17 and a graduating senior! At the audition they put you in costume and if you can take what they do at the audition and through training then they know you will be fine in the park. Theya lso trust youa nd if you don't think it is something you can handle.
Originally Posted By HRM ^^^ would it be an overly general, yet fair, assumption that those CM's who portray Characters, mainly "fuzzies" are more the younger of those applying, versus the more senior - or "seasoned" - of the population? What is the average tenure of a CM in the Character ranks?
Originally Posted By ToonFinder Yes, fair to say that there are more younger folks then older. But thats not to say that the older folks aren't well represented in the department. Most of the people over 30 who are still in the game have been at it for 15 years or more. That of course is more the exception then the rule. Most are fresh faces, right out of high school looking to have some fun on a summer job.
Originally Posted By HRM >>Most of the people over 30 who are still in the game have been at it for 15 years or more.<< ) Wow that means you have some character CM's who started very young, as young as 16 yrs... ;o) It is nice to know that a person can have "career satisfaction" performing as a character. What is the advancement opportunities for a CM if a person wanted to stay just in this department? ºoº
Originally Posted By paulyahoo > so do they earn only enough for two hours? Aren't characters rotated between parks, shows and parades? As I know, in Paris people from entertainment department have quite a tight schedule all day long.
